Blue mussel
| Blue mussel | |
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| Species: | M. edulis
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| Binomial name | |
| Mytilus edulis | |
The blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, is a medium-sized edible marine bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae.
Distribution
Blue mussels are found on the North Atlantic coast of North America, Europe, and in other temperate and polar waters around the world.
Habitat
Blue mussels live in intertidal areas attached to rocks and other hard substrates by strong (and somewhat elastic) thread-like structures called byssal threads; these are secreted by byssal glands located in the foot of the mussel.
Description
The shell is smooth with a sculpturing of fine concentric growth lines but no radiating ribs. The shells of this species are purple, blue or sometimes brown in color, occasionally with radial stripes as shown here.
Uses
It is commonly harvested for food throughout the world, from both wild and farmed sources. Mussels are a staple of many seafood dishes in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Belgian and Italian cuisine.
Predators
Blue mussels are preyed upon by starfish such as Asterias vulgaris. Small mussels are also eaten by the dogwhelk, Nucella lapillus.
Gallery
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Live blue mussels on a rocky substrate -
Two empty blue mussel shells on a beach of the Baltic Sea -
Numerous empty blue mussel shells on a beach in Iceland
References
- Department of Marine Resources
- Gilbertson, Lance. (1999). Zoology Laboratory Manual (4th ed.), pp. 11.1-11.4. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
- Sea Grant